Best Laid Plans

by Tamie Dearen

  Emily pushed her way between the two. “Stop it—you’re making a scene. Spencer, let’s go sit down. This is not the time or the place for this discussion.” She dragged Spencer by the arm back to their table, leaving Josh standing alone.

  He scanned the room and found Olivia with Grace and Brad, laughing and joking along with her sisters. At another table, a scowling Spencer sat beside an expressionless Charlie, despite Emily’s efforts to distract them with her animated discourse. Part of him hated hurting her feelings, but another part of him felt a sense of satisfaction. At least she cared enough to be hurt. The agony of his decision rose up again—he so regretted the timing of this adoption. If he didn’t possess such a strong sense of responsibility to his niece and nephew, he would have tried again with Charlie. He certainly still had feelings for her, as much as he tried to deny it.

  If there was one thing he was good at, though, it was self-discipline. He could push himself to perform despite sleepless nights and pain and emotional agony. He’d never let his own needs and weaknesses stand in the way of his goals. And right now, his desire for Charlie was a weakness he couldn’t allow.

  A surreptitious glance at her caused a searing pain in his chest. He remembered exactly how her soft responsive lips had felt. They’d shared a kiss that had shattered him. He couldn’t even understand how she’d affected him so strongly with one kiss. Just a kiss. He’d been with so many girls. For him, kissing had simply become a means to an end. But everything had changed when he’d kissed Charlie—she’d ruined him for other girls.

  On the other hand, he’d been alone most of his life. None of the girls he’d been with in the past actually meant anything to him anyway. It would’ve been nice to have someone to love, someone he could share his life with. But it wasn’t a necessity. His marriage to Olivia in name only wouldn’t alleviate his isolation.

  “I’m alone, as usual,” he mumbled. “So what’s new?”

  “CHARLIE!” EMILY SNAPPED her fingers in front of her sister’s face. “Are you even listening to me?”

  “Huh?” She blinked. “Uhmm, yeah. Sorry. I was just thinking about next week.” With a vain attempt to hide her distress over Josh’s obvious disdain, she raised her eyebrows and pulled the corners of her mouth up in the semblance of a smile. “I’m going to help Mom with the boys so she can get a few hours in at the office. They’ve given the nanny time off until January.”

  “That’ll be exhausting, I bet,” Emily chuckled. “I’m gonna laugh when my physically fit sister is moaning about how tired she is after a day with the twins.”

  “I’ve missed them so much. I’m just glad I get to be with them and remind them who their favorite sister is.”

  “No way. I’m definitely the favorite sister. You haven’t got a chance.”

  “I can’t believe y’all are at it again,” said a voice behind them. They both turned to find their mother, Anne, with her husband, Steven.

  “Mom,” whined Charlie. “Tell her that I’m Ellis’ and Micah’s favorite sister.”

  “They love me more,” declared Emily. “They don’t know you as well.”

  “But they’re tired of you,” Charlie goaded. “I’m knew and exciting. You’re dull and boring.”

  Anne glanced at her husband with a silent plea for aid.

  “Some things never change,” said Steven.

  Anne put her hands on her hips. “I’m going to figure out a way to raise Ellis and Micah so they won’t always be competing with each other.”

  “Good luck with that.” Charlie quipped.

  “Really, Mom? With sisters like us and the two most competitive parents in the history of mankind?” Emily asked.

  Steven lifted his chin in mock offense. “I beg your pardon. Are you accusing me and my sweet wife of being competitive?”

  “Only if the proverbial shoe fits,” said Emily.

  “I resemble that remark.” He laughed.

  “Wasn’t the wedding just wonderful? I thought Grace was so beautiful! And Brad was just beaming.” Anne blinked at a few tears that sprang to her eyes. “I’m ready to start planning another one.” She waggled her eyebrows at Charlie.

  “Don’t start that, Mom. I’m not falling for any of your schemes. If I ever decide to get married, I can find a guy all on my own. But I don’t need anyone competing for my time until after law school, anyway.”

  “Surely you don’t believe that.” A deep furrow appeared between her mother’s brows. “If you had the right guy, you wouldn’t resent the time you spent with him. And he’d be a partner for you. He wouldn’t keep you from studying.”

  “Maybe. But I don’t think I can handle the emotional turmoil right now.”

  “You know, I said the same thing two years ago. But when love strikes, you can’t do anything but go with it.” Emily squeezed Spencer’s hand. “And it’s worth the emotional turmoil when you find a great guy.”

  “Okay, whatever.” Charlie hated the direction of the conversation. She couldn’t imagine herself ever getting married, especially since her emotions were obviously still messed up where Josh was concerned. “Let’s change the subject, please.”

  “Great,” said Anne. “Let’s talk about what kind of flowers you want for your wedding. Didn’t you just love Grace’s hydrangeas? I was thinking maybe hydrangeas and—”

  “Mom!” Charlie growled out a warning.

  “Maybe you can plan Olivia’s wedding,” Spencer remarked with a biting emphasis on his sister’s name.

  “What?” said Anne. “Olivia’s getting married?”

  “Evidently Josh was proposing earlier tonight,” he grumbled. “I didn’t even know they were dating.”

  Charlie felt a lead weight fall into the pit of her stomach. Josh was in love with Olivia. No wonder he didn’t want her around. She should be happy for him. Happy for both of them. She should have expected this, but somehow it felt even worse he was going to marry one of her good friends. She wouldn’t be able to avoid seeing them together all the time.

  “Are you all right?” whispered Emily, giving her arm a little squeeze. “You look a little pale. I’m so sorry...”

  Charlie forced a smile onto her face. “No, I’m fine. I’m happy for them. I’m just a little shocked is all.”

  Anne looked positively ecstatic. “Oh, this is so much fun—another wedding! I hope Olivia and Connie will let me in on the planning again like they did for Grace’s.”

  Spencer’s face was dark. “Well, I don’t like it. I don’t think he really loves her, and I’m afraid she’s going to get hurt.”

  “Why do you say that?” asked Steven. “Does this have anything to do with him making a play for Emily way back when? Are you still holding that against him?”

  “No. We got past that a long time ago. I just don’t want Olivia to settle for someone who isn’t head-over-heels for her. I haven’t seen that from Josh, and I’m afraid he won’t treat her well.”

  Charlie remained quiet, while everyone else weighed in on the discussion. She knew the moment her mom noticed her reaction because she suddenly lost her enthusiasm. “Well, we’ll just wait and see. This may be a passing thing. It may not happen at all. I’m sure they won’t be in any hurry.”

  “Well, I hope it works out. Josh is a great guy, and I think he’ll treat her like a queen.” Charlie hoped her smile looked genuine.

  “I think you’re right, Sister. Josh would make a great husband.” When Spencer was starting to object to her statement, she added with a smile, “Not as great as my husband, of course.”

  Watching Emily and Spencer, so obviously in love with each other, Charlie realized, for the first time in her life, she was truly envious of something her sister had.

  Chapter Three

  CHARLIE HEARD VOICES. She tried to make sense of them, to fit them into her crazy dream about walking a tightrope between two buildings.

  “She must be exhausted,” chuckled Steven.

  “It’s so cute! Quick, get the camera,” s
aid Anne.

  “Already got it.”

  She flinched as a light flashed and struggled to open her eyes. Her mom and Steven were smiling down at her. Where was she? She tried to move, but something heavy was holding her in place. She lifted her head and peered down to where two sleeping two-year-old boys were sprawled over her, pinning her to the floor.

  “What time is it?” she asked, rubbing her eyes with her one free hand, noting the other was completely numb from the weight blocking the blood-flow.

  “It’s five o’clock. They usually don’t nap this late. Naptime is usually at two.”

  Charlie rolled her eyes. “Believe me, I tried to make them go to sleep at two. They were wound up and bouncing off the walls. I tried all my tricks, but nothing worked. Then we started wrestling. I told them they had to hold me down for sixty seconds. After thirty seconds of lying still, they fell sound asleep. I didn’t dare move.” She smiled and attempted to shift her stiff body.

  “How long have they been out?” asked Anne.

  “About an hour.”

  “Guess we’d better wake them up, or we’ll never get them to sleep tonight,” said Steven. He and Anne reached down to pick up the boys, both of whom protested until they realized who had them. There were a few seconds of silent cuddling, and then, as they became more awake, the excited chatter began. Both boys were talking non-stop, most of the words unintelligible. They soon wiggled out of the confining arms to begin another round of play.

  Charlie chuckled as she stood up, stretching her aching muscles and massaging her numb hand. “I don’t know how you manage to keep up with them, especially at your age.” She laughed as she realized her slip-up. “Not that you’re old or anything.” Her mother raised her brows in mock anger.

  “Do you want to back out of babysitting, now that you know how tiring it is?” asked Steven.

  “No,” Charlie smiled. “I’m exhausted, but I loved it. They’re just too cute. Obviously they take after their sister.”

  “But seriously,” said Anne. “I know you said you would do it until the Christmas holidays, but we could call the nanny service for a substitute until Heidi comes back in January.”

  “I just want to be sure you’re not doing it because you feel obligated, because you know we don’t feel that way. You don’t owe us anything,” Steven added.

  “I owe you plenty. Ahhhhhhmmmm,” Charlie groaned as Steven messaged her stiff shoulders. “But that’s a different story. I’m babysitting because I want to. I love my brothers, and I’ve missed out on so much of the first two years. I just want to make up for lost time.”

  “Chawee! Chawee!” shouted Ellis. “Watch me!” He attempted a headstand, which became a side-roll, and then he dissolved into giggles when his brother rolled on top of him.

  “You see? I wouldn’t miss this for anything. You know how much I love kids. It’s even better when they’re mine.”

  “Plus, I guess it gives you something else to think about,” said Anne.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Oh, you know... I thought you might be kind of down about Josh and Olivia.”

  “Mom, I told you I’m not interested in Josh.”

  “Right. Yes, I kind of forgot. But evidently Olivia told Spencer she’s not all that enthusiastic about his proposal. I don’t really get what’s going on there. I mean she didn’t have a ring, so I wonder if she turned him down. Or maybe they were just in the talking stage.”

  “I don’t know. I really hadn’t given it a second thought,” Charlie lied in a fashion she hoped was believable.

  “Well, I’m certainly curious about it, even if you aren’t,” said Anne. “You know, it’s too bad you and Josh didn’t hit it off. I thought y’all would’ve made a cute couple.”

  “Mom, how can you say that? He’s a huge player.” She gave her standard response where Josh was concerned.

  “From what Emily’s told me, he used to be a huge player. But not anymore.”

  “You can’t trust a guy like that. Whoever he marries, he’ll cheat on her eventually.”

  “Eh-hem!” Steven cleared his throat. “As a reformed player, I beg to differ. I would never cheat on your mother. I promise you, after a while, the glamour of that kind of lifestyle wears thin. I think Josh figured that out more quickly than I did.”

  “Well... You’re different,” Charlie said.

  Steven gave her a hug. “I’m glad you don’t judge me so harshly. I promise, I have no desire to go back to my old ways. It turns out Gram was right about what I needed all of those years.” He smiled at his wife, who was busy rescuing Micah from the death grip Ellis had on his hair.

  Charlie chuckled at the screaming pair. “Well, on that note, I think I’ll escape for the evening. See you in the morning.”

  “OLIVIA?” JOSH PULLED up a chair next to hers. She flinched at the screeching scrape of the chair legs on the hospital cafeteria floor. But she kept her eyes glued to her plate.

  “Yes, Dr. Branson?” She maintained a flat, emotionless tone.

  He let out an exasperated sigh. “Come on, Olivia. I think you can at least call me by my first name.”

  “When we’re at work, you’re a doctor and I’m a nurse. I’ll address you appropriately.”

  “Well, we’re not working right now,” Josh said, crossing his arms. “But whatever. Have you thought about my offer? Are you willing to at least try it for a few weeks? I mean, just pretend we’re engaged? Surely it wouldn’t be that bad...”

  “Look, Dr. Branson. You embarrassed me at my sister’s wedding in front of my family and friends. If that’s any indication of how things will go, I think the answer is an emphatic no.”

  “I’m sorry about that. But I’ve really got a time crunch here. In fact...” he hesitated, checking their fellow diners to ensure their privacy. “I need to present a fiancée to the children’s ad litem tomorrow.”

  “Tomorrow? I’m supposed to be engaged to you by tomorrow?”

  “Well, I told him I’m already engaged, and he wants to meet you.”

  “I haven’t decided to do this, Josh. In fact, I think your chances of getting me to agree are pretty slim. I think you should just find someone else to play your wife. I’ll play the heartbroken ex-fiancée.”

  “Look, that’s just it. Right now, I only need a fiancée. If you don’t want to marry me, I’ll find someone else.”

  “Don’t you think the ad whatever would notice if the person you marry is different from the fiancée he met?”

  “Hopefully not, but I don’t think it will matter. As long as I’m married, I think I’ll win custody.”

  She studied him, unable to ignore the warning of her tight chest. “This sounds like some kind of trap to me.”

  “It’s no trap. I just need a fiancée right away. If you decide to go all the way... I mean, if you decide to get married, we’ll have a written contract—a prenuptial agreement. And the part where I pay for your med-school will be written in the contract.”

  She shook her head. “Josh, even if I decided to do this crazy thing, that’s too much money.”

  “Okay, I could pay for a year. And I’ll loan you the other three years interest free. Whatever—we’ll work something out. So you’ll do it?”

  “And what do I get if I just humiliate myself until Friday?”

  “If you stay engaged to me until I find someone else, you can keep the ring.” He reached in his pocket and pulled out a small blue box. Her eyes widened, and he grinned. “Should I get down on one knee?”

  “No!” she exclaimed, with enough volume to attract attention from some nearby diners. She glanced about, discomfited by her outburst, and urged in a quiet voice, “No. Please don’t embarrass me again.”

  He flipped it open, and she stared at it, open-mouthed, as tears sprang to her eyes.

  “What’s wrong? Is it not a nice ring?”

  “No. It’s just that getting an engagement ring is supposed to be a special thing. And it’s supposed to come f
rom someone you love and someone that loves you. And that ring is... It’s...”

  “What? It’s what?”

  “It’s huge! If I took that ring, then when I got a real ring from my real fiancée, there’s no way it would be that nice of a ring.”

  Josh groaned. “Why has no one written a manual for dealing with women? They could make a fortune. Okay, I can take this one back and get a smaller diamond.”

  “No. I don’t want an engagement ring. I’m a scrub nurse. Most scrub nurses hardly ever wear their rings anyway.”

  His face brightened. “So you’ll do it?”

  “Is it really the only way you can adopt your niece and nephew? And are you certain this is what you want to do? I mean really, really, sure? You haven’t even spent much time around kids, have you? Do you even like kids?”

  “See. That shows how much you know. I was a Big Brother during undergrad. And I volunteer at the Children’s Clinic.”

  “Yeah, I knew about the Children’s Clinic.”

  “And yes, I’m sure. I’m going to find a way to make this happen. It’ll just be easier if you help me.”

  She breathed in a deep breath and held it while she contemplated. She wanted to help Josh with the adoption, but she absolutely didn’t want to marry him. And she would never take his money for medical school. Still, it seemed like his back was against the wall for the adoption. The air whistled from her mouth. “Okay.” When he broke into a huge grin, she hurried to clarify in a hoarse whisper, “But I’m only agreeing to the engagement, not the marriage. And no ring! And no kissing!”

  “But you’re not saying no to the marriage?”

  “Josh, I just don’t think I could ever agree to the marriage. I think you should look into alternatives. There’s got to be another way. Why don’t you talk to the grandparents? Maybe if you promised to let the little girl have a relationship with them, they would agree to you adopting both.”

  “I’ve got to be sure. I can’t take a chance.”